Microwave
Shortcuts
TOASTING NUTS: Place 1/2 cup of the desired nuts in a 2-cup measure.
Micro-cook, uncovered, on 100%
power about 3 minutes or till toasted, stirring frequently.
BLANCHING ALMONDS: In a small nonmetal bowl, micro-cook 1 cup
water, uncovered, on 100% power for 2 to 3 minutes or till boiling. Add 1/2 cup Almonds to water. Micro-cook, uncovered, on 100% power for 1
1/2 minutes. Drain, rinse almonds with
cold water. Slip off skins.
TOASTING COCONUT: Place flaked or shredded coconut in a 1-cup
measure. Micro-cook, uncovered, on 100%
power till light brown, stirring every 20 seconds. Allow 1 to 1 1/2 minutes for 1/4 cup and 1 1/2 to 2 minutes for
1/2 cup coconut.
WARMING ICE CREAM TOPPERS: Spoon topping into a custard cup or 1-cup
measure. Micro-cook, uncovered, on 100%
power till warm, allowing about 15 seconds for 2 tablespoons, about 25 seconds
for 1/4 cup, or about 45 seconds for 1/2 cup of topping.
SOFTENING ICE CREAM: Micro-cook 1 pint solidly frozen ice cream,
uncovered, on 100% power about 15 seconds or till soft enough to serve.
PLUMPING DRIED FRUIT: In a 2-cup measure micro-cook 1 cup water,
uncovered on 100% power for 2 to 3 minutes or till boiling. Stir in 1/2 cup desired dried fruit. Let stand 5 to 10 minutes.
SOFTENING BUTTER OR MARGARINE: Unwrap butter or margarine and place in a
small nonmetal dish. Micro-cook,
uncovered, on 10% power, allowing about 30 seconds for 2 tablespoons or 50 seconds
to 1 minute for 1/4 cup of butter. OR Unwrap butter or margarine and place in a
1-cup measure or custard cup.
Micro-cook, uncovered, on 100% power allowing 25 to 30 seconds for 2
tablespoons or about 40 seconds for 1/4 cup butter or margarine.
SOFTENING CREAM CHEESE: Unwrap on 3-ounce package cream cheese and
place in a small nonmetal bowl.
Micro-cook, uncovered on 30% power about 1 minute or till soft.
MELTING CHOCOLATE SQUARES: Unwrap chocolate and place in a small non
metal bowl or custard cup. Micro-cook,
uncovered, on 100% power till melted, stirring once. Allow 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 minutes for one 1-ounce square or 1 3/4 to 2
minutes for two 1-ounce squares of chocolate.
MELTING CHOCOLATE PIECES: In a glass measure or custard cup micro-cook
chocolate pieces, uncovered, on 100% power till melted, stirring once. Allow 1 to 1 1/2 minutes for 3 oz. or 1 1/2
to 2 minutes for a 6-ounce package.
MELTING CONFECTIONER'S COATING: In a small non metal bowl or custard cup, micro-cook
confectioner's coating, uncovered, on 100% power till melted, stirring
once. Allow 1 to 1 1/4 minutes for one
2-ounce square or about 1 1/2 minutes for two 2-ounce squares confectioner's
coating.
MELTING CARAMELS: Unwrap caramels and place in a glass
measure. Micro-cook, uncovered, on 100%
power stirring once. Allow 45 seconds
to 1 minute for 14 caramels (about 1/2 cup) or 1 to 1 1/2 minutes for 28
caramels (about 1 cup).
FLAMING LIQUEUR: Place 2 tablespoons of desired liqueur (at
least 80 proof) in a 1 cup measure.
Micro-cook, uncovered, on 100% power for 20 seconds, ignite and pour
over desired food.
PEELING TOMATOES: In a 2-cup measure micro-cook 1 cup water,
uncovered, on 100% power for 2 to 3 minutes or till boiling. Spear 1 tomato with a long tined fork. Submerge into hot water; hold about 12
seconds. Place tomato under cold
running water, slip off skin.
PEELING PEACHES: In a 2-cup measure micro-cook 1 cup water, uncovered, on 100% power for 2 to 3 minutes or till boiling. Spear 1 peach with a long tined fork. Submerge into hot water; hold about 12 seconds. Place peach under cold running water, slip off skin.